While the 33 year old soap actress, famous for her roles on Hollyoaks and Emmerdale, explained in 2017 she’s ‘just friends’ with Alexandra Burke’s former professional dance partner, rumours of a secret romance have reached new heights after the Gemma and Gorka were pictured kissing.

The actress was snapped – in photos obtained by MailOnline – looking adoringly at the dancing pro as they chatted outside in the cold while waiting for a taxi together.

The pair were captured sharing an embrace, fuelling speculation further.

Gemma and Gorka are working together on the Strictly Tour [Gemma Atkinson/Instagram]

Gemma and Gorka have been reportedly dating for months now [Instagram]

While neither Gorka or Gemma have confirmed a relationship, there are many reason's fans are convinced the pair are a couple – see them here.

Insider reveals they ARE dating

Towards the beginning of the 2017 series of Strictly Come Dancing, it was reported that Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez were dating.

Gemma Atkinson is all smiles as she enjoys dinner with rumoured love interest Gorka Marquez
[Flynet]

Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez have sparked romance rumours since the beginning of Strictly Come Dancing 2017 and have now been spotted on a date with Mollie King and AJ Pritchard – click here to see snaps from their rendezvous

A Strictly insider told The Sun: “Gorka and Gemma are together. It’s the talk of the make-up room.

“Not surprisingly, Alexandra is furious about how it might impact her chances of winning. She’s very ambitious and is nervous about it all.”

Gemma Atkinson has said the pair are 'just friends' [Getty]

Private dinner

While the pair have insisted they were just friends, Gemma and Gorka were spotted out enjoying some alone time during the series of Strictly.

In October, the pair were pictured enjoying a candlelit dinner together following the live shows.

Topless snap of Gorka

Gemma fuelled the dating rumours further when she shared a picture of topless Gorka on her Instagram page.

The professional dancer showed off his abs in the snap, alongside fellow Strictly professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, as Gemma made a comical face in the centre.

Date nights

While Strictly Come Dancing may be over, the pair are still spending a lot of time together.

Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez continue to spend time together after Strictly Come Dancing [Gemma Atkinson/Instagram]

Recently, the pair shared on their social media they were working out together before the New Year.

The pair are seen in the video, posted on Instagram, out of breath as they talk about the last workout of the year, leading fans to speculate whether this means the pair are now official.

One fan commented: "Does that mean it’s official now? You have exceptionally good taste Gem!" while another wrote: "There was a massive rumour going round, about you two dating, and I think this video proves it may be true."